Stem for lighting fixtures



m 3 1929. A. E; DE 'KARSKE 1,110,532 STEM FOR LIGHfIING FIXTURES Filed June' 1928 IN VEN TOR.

ALFAEZ? Elk (455M. Y

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 23, 19 29.

'- ALFRED E. DE masks, OF'MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

STEM r03,- a ine; rIx'rU'REs.

' Application. filed time s, [1928. Serial No. 283,783.

' 7 This invention relates to stemsifor lighti and provide ing fixtures.

The primary provide a stem which adjustable in length, equally well as a fixture hanger, or candle post. 1 p

A further object. is the provision of an article to overcome breakage, misalignment, and cumbersome or inaccessible 'means for adjustabilityfound in prior attempts to provide a suitable fixture stem.

Another object is the simplifying of the design of the stem. to facilitate rapid installation or removal of lighting fixtures.

ther objects and advantages'will'appear fron the following description of an illusand adapted to serve trative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is through a ceiling fixture positioned by a stem constructed in accordance with the present invention with, parts broken away to more clearly illustrate its construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on'the line 2-2 of Fig.1. I

1 Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the stem. m

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the stenicomprises a body portion 10 adapted to be fixedly mounted to the outlet box in the usual manner, such as by threaded engagement with a coupling 11 carried by the nipple onthe outlet box. The lower portion of the with a longitudinal slot 12. The edges of this slot are inwardly turned to form guide flanges 13. Diametrically opposite this slot is an aperture 14, which is adapted to receive aninwardly turned lip '15 of a spring finger 16 which is fixedly mounted at its upper extremity to the outer wall of the body portion 10.

, A second member 17 comprises the remaining portion of'the stem. This member is fashioned to be slidablyreceived within the body portion 10 and uided therein by the flanges 13 thereof. T e portion'17 is provided with a cut out portion or slot 18 extending longitudinally of the member to insure ready alignment of the two elements, an aperture through which the wires may be threaded to be carried down to object of the-invention is to is easily wired, readily body stem,

5 the'entry' of the lip 15 carried upon the lower a vertical midsection taken body portion 10 is provided the lights on the fixture. Diametrically opposite the slot 18 a series ofperforations 19 are provided. These perforations 19 are adapted to register progressively with the aperture 14 in the body portion 10 as the member 171s inserted therein and to permit extremity of the spring finger 16, to lock the two elements against outward movement.

The lower extremity of the member '17 is provided with screw threading 20 upon which an ornamental nut 22 fashioned in the form of a loop to carry a chain or the like, may be screwed to retain the fixture in position. v

The mounting of a fixture by means of. the

present stem is extremely simple and eifective as it eliminates the threading of the wires through the top of the stem which heretoforewas the source of infinite trouble caused by the grounding of the wire which had inadvertently been skinned while pulling the same downwardly through such a restricted opening;

To apply a fixture stem it becomes necessary only to thread the wiresf'rom the inside of the fixture through the aperture 24 at thelower extremity of the fixture 23. The Wires are then threaded through the slot 18 in the member 17 and down through the lower extremity thereof. The wires may then .be threaded through the aperture in ornamental nut 22.

Theornamental nut 22 is then screwed part of the way onto the lower extremityof the member 17. The fixture may then be 'held against the ceiling in approximately its proper position and the upper end of the member 17 inserted through the aperture 24: and positioned to register with the lower extremity of the body portion 10. When the ends of the elements 10 and 17 are in proper alignment the element 17 may be forced upwardly until the ornamentalnut 22 bears against the bottom of the fixture body to secure the, same in place. i The tip 15 'of the spring finger 16 havingcome-to rest inone of theseries ofperforations 19 by means of the present I to lock the elements in interengagement in that particular adjustment of the stem.

Should the lip 15 fail to register with a perforation 19 on the/ member 17 it becomes necessary only to screw the ornamentalv nut 22 until the spring urged lip 15 snaps'into an adjacent perforation. Hence the nut 22 will, readily serve as a micrometer ad ust- "ment between successive. perforations.

While the foregoing description of the application of the present stem has been confined only to its use in'connection with mounting the portion of a fixture abutting a wall or ceiling; Without change of the stem proper-it will serve equally well as stem for a body portion or canopy and also asa foundation for a candle stick on a fixture.

Should it become necessary to remove the fixture the operation requires only the re-.

. comprising a pair of hollow tubular members telescopically arranged to form a con-,

ductor conduit, a spring urged detent carried by one of said members, means on said second member cooperating with said spring urged detent to form a ratchet connection between said members to permit free collapse of the stem and effectively resist extension thereof from any of a plurality of positions of lengthwlse ad ustment said members may assume,,and coactlng guide means on said members operable to insure coaetion between said detent and said first named means. I

2. An adjustable stem for. lighting fixtures comprising a pair of telescopic members, a spring urged detent carried by one of said members, a slot in the wall of said member, guide means on said member, a slot in said second member cooperating with theslot and guide means in said first named member to prevent relative rotation between said members, a deformed portion on said second member cooperating with said spring urged detent to form a ratchet connection between said members to permit free col, lapse of said siemand effectively resist extension thereof from any of a plurality of positions: of lengthwise adjustment therebetween. 7

3. An adjustable stem for lighting fix tures comprising a pair of telescopic members, a slot-in one of said members, flanges on the other ofsaid members "cooperating with said slot to effectively prevent rotation of one member with respect to the other,

a resilient detent carried by one of said members, a deformed port on on the other of said members registering with said resilient detent, said deformed portion and resilient detent forming in effect a ratchet engagement between said members to permit ready collapse of saidstem and efifectively lock the same against extension in any of a. plurality of positions of lengthwise adjustment between said members. Z

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5 day of June, 1928.

ALFRED E. DE KARSKE; 

